When it comes to sequels, "Cars 2" flies in the face of conventional Hollywood calculus. Its predecessor was the least well-reviewed of Pixar Animation Studios' 11 movies and among its poorest performers at the box office — at least, by the premier animation studio's sterling standards. One attribute distinguishes "Cars" from most other films: it sparked a licensing bonanza that continued to fuel merchandise sales long after Lightning McQueen, Mater and the movie's other anthropomorphic autos rolled out of the megaplex.

California's registered nursing board has eliminated a backlog in licensing paperwork for approximately 4,000 recent nursing graduates, state officials have reported. But Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto), who helped organize a town hall hearing on the delays Thursday in Modesto, said she remains concerned about license applications for 7,000 students set to complete their training in May and June. "Will it all start happening again?" Olsen said Friday in an interview. "It's unclear whether the breakdowns in the system have been fixed completely.

Re "Bill would create state certification for pet groomers," Business, July 7 As a small-business owner, I agree that licensing for certain trades is essential. When a stranger shows up to fix a plumbing or electrical problem, knowing that person is licensed and insured is comforting. But when you drop your dog off at the neighborhood groomer for a bath and a trim, the relationship you have established with that person should be one of confidence and trust and not regulated by anyone else.

A 10-year-old student from Noble Avenue Elementary School in North Hills visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels last week on a diplomatic mission. Jersey Vargas, a fourth-grader, was about to leave for Rome and a possible visit with Pope Francis, but first she wanted to ask Archbishop Jose H. Gomez for his blessing and his help. Jersey said she hoped the archbishop will "help my Dad out, so he can be with me and my family, and we won't be separated ever again. " Her father has been in custody since September, Jersey told me. She said he "was caught driving without a license, and because he wasn't born in the United States, that also didn't help him out….

Baidu Inc., China's largest search engine, has struck a deal to license songs from three major record labels, giving music companies a rare victory against piracy in the world's most populous country. Terms of the multiyear deal, announced Tuesday, call for Baidu to pay Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment for each song that is downloaded or streamed through Baidu's new ad-supported music social network, dubbed Ting. Baidu also agreed to pay the labels for songs delivered through its MP3 Search service.

Re "Handgun License Plan Clears Senate Panel," June 28: The proposed law is of course an unconstitutional infringement on the right to keep and bear arms. But that hasn't previously stopped the leftists who control California's government. This law is designed purely to harass law-abiding gun owners and put legal firearms dealers out of business. I own 10 handguns, two rifles and a shotgun. Yet to purchase another weapon, I would have to submit to the onerous requirements of this bill.

In December, Ben Villarreal graduated with a bachelor's degree from Samuel Merritt University's nursing program in Oakland. In short order, he received two job offers at UC hospitals with programs for new graduates. But with less than a month to go before his start dates, the 22-year-old said he is concerned that he could lose both promising opportunities. As of mid-February, California's Board of Registered Nursing still hadn't given him the go-ahead to take the nursing exam needed to get his license and start a new job. "I've been told my application is on my evaluator's desk with hundreds of others," he said.

A "Speaking Out" column (April 15) featured Vernon Martin, an appraiser for a major financial institution, questioning the value of pending legislation that would license and/or certify real estate appraisers. The appraisal profession is unique in that until now, there have been no requirements for entry into the profession. A number of appraisal organizations exist, some more reputable than others, but membership is purely voluntary. The most recognized and prestigious appraisal organizations represent only a small fraction of practicing appraisers.

I am writing in regard to the Nov. 3 article on cat licensing. I believe very strongly that licensing cats is not the answer to the problems of shelters like the one in Camarillo that are forced to euthanize so many cats. One has to ask why so many cats are brought into shelters and not claimed by their owners. The answer is not that the owners can't be located; it is, sadly, that most of those cats either don't have owners or have irresponsible owners. The idea of mandatory rabies vaccination is another misguided solution.

Bradley Inman's column, "Auditor Backs Regulatory Framework; Consumer Groups are Critical" (June 9), was very informative. It is obvious to me that the licensing and regulation of 600 professional occupations by California's state government is 600 too many. Harry Snyder of the Consumers Union recognizes that consumers are hurt by this restraint of trade, but he failed to note that individuals who want to break the cycle of poverty and go into business for themselves are also hurt by this elitism.

Same-sex weddings in Michigan were abruptly halted Saturday when a federal appeals court put on hold a lower court ruling that declared the state's ban on gay marriages unconstitutional. The appellate court order came Saturday afternoon, after Michigan officials had issued at least 322 marriage licenses to gays and lesbians who jumped at the chance to be among the first same-sex couples in the state to wed. County clerks in four of Michigan's 83 counties called in staff on a weekend to mark the short-lived (for now)

OPI has inked its first licensing agreement deal with a professional sports league. The company announced Wednesday a deal with Major League Baseball that will have MLB-inspired nail lacquers stepping up to the plate in time for opening day. The announcement included the following acknowledgement by the MLB of the importance of the nail-lacquer-wearing fan base: “Major League Baseball understands the importance of female fans in the growth...

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - South African President Jacob Zuma personally benefited from a $23-million state-paid “security” upgrade to his private residence in rural KwaZulu-Natal, according to South Africa's public protector, an official with the duties of an ombudsman. Her findings over a scandal known in South Africa as “Nkandla-gate” -- a reference to the name of Zuma's homestead - are highly damaging to the governing African National Congress with less than two months to an election.

Californians aren't depending quite as heavily on cars for commutes and errands as they did a decade ago, according to a new survey by Caltrans. Although driving is still by far the most dominant mode of transportation across the state, accounting for about three-quarters of daily trips, researchers say a decrease in car usage and a rise in walking, biking and taking transit indicate that Californians' daily habits could be slowly changing....

As part of a crackdown on nuisance businesses, city officials revoked the liquor license of a South Los Angeles liquor store Friday that they say had become a hot spot for crime and violence. Law enforcement officials said that 125 arrests had been made directly related to alcohol purchased at Time Square Liquor over the last two years, including for public intoxication and selling alcohol to minors. Additionally, the business had been cited twice for violating its conditional use permit by selling alcohol without a license. "This is a long time coming," said LAPD Capt.

The handgun that GOP assemblyman and gubernatorial candidate Tim Donnelly attempted to take through airport security in 2012 was not registered to him, according to a police report reviewed by The Times. Donnelly told officers who questioned him that he had bought it five years before and never registered it in his name. The San Bernardino County lawmaker and gun-rights advocate pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of carrying a loaded firearm in public without a concealed weapons permit and possessing a gun in an airport.

Referring to the reported dog-licensing drive in Ventura County ("Dog-Licensing Drive Pushed to Cut Deficit," July 11), Ventura County supervisors would seem unaware that all cat owners are not freeloaders who expect to receive the services of Animal Regulation at the expense of those who own dogs. They also seem unaware that the annual incidence of rabies in cats reported by the Centers for Disease Control is now higher than for dogs. So much for the concern of the supervisors that the county be protected against a rabies outbreak.

I would like to commend Don G. Campbell on his fine article pertaining to the licensing of real estate appraisers. It is hard to imagine that a profession that can have such a strong impact on the financial situation of this state is, for the most part, unregulated. As the chief appraiser of a mortgage banking corporation, that will fund nearly $500 million in loans in 1986, I am reliant upon the fee appraiser to determine the market value of the property on which we will secure our loan.

As the California Department of Motor Vehicles prepares for a historic expansion of driving privileges, some immigrants may be left out because they lack documents proving who they are or where they live. The DMV is hiring about 1,000 workers and opening five temporary offices to handle a flood of driver's license applications beginning Jan. 1, 2015, from immigrants without legal status. In a few months, the agency will issue regulations on the documents required to obtain the new license.

In December, Ben Villarreal graduated with a bachelor's degree from Samuel Merritt University's nursing program in Oakland. In short order, he received two job offers at UC hospitals with programs for new graduates. But with less than a month to go before his start dates, the 22-year-old said he is concerned that he could lose both promising opportunities. As of mid-February, California's Board of Registered Nursing still hadn't given him the go-ahead to take the nursing exam needed to get his license and start a new job. "I've been told my application is on my evaluator's desk with hundreds of others," he said.